Everton deal major Premier League title blow amid Lokonga’s transfer admission

Everton defeat

Arsenal tasted defeat for just the second time in the Premier League this season, falling 1-0 to Everton thanks to a second-half James Tarkowski goal. The Gunners are still five points clear at the top of the league, although second-placed Manchester City play Tottenham Hotspur later today.

The Gunners struggled throughout the encounter at Goodison Park, recording just three shots on target over the course of the entire 90 minutes.

Lokonga admission

Albert Sambi Lokonga has spoken about how a phone call with Patrick Vieira convinced him to complete a January loan move from Arsenal to Crystal Palace this week.

“It was not easy [to leave Arsenal] because as you can see they are top of the league, but for me the important thing was the confidence of the coach,” Lokonga said when asked about his move to Selhurst Park. “I had him on the phone and it was a good opportunity to come here, to show myself and to help the boys reach their objectives.

“He said to me ‘welcome’. He is going to push me to be a better player – I am looking forward to it.”

Martin Keown delivered his say on Arsenal’s chances of winning the Premier League before the north Londoners tasted defeat against Everton on Saturday.

“I’m a believer, yes, but it’s an awful long way to go with Man City in the background,” Keown told BT Sport when asked about their title aspirations. “They’re the holders of this, and this Arsenal is a new team that are reaching out and trying to develop.

“For a while now we’ve known that Arsenal could compete, but it doesn’t become reality unless you put all the hard work in and you overcome difficult obstacles. Today (playing Everton) is a really difficult obstacle for Arsenal.”